InternalBrace

Updated
4/11/2019

What is the InternalBrace?

The InternalBrace is a revolutionary technique that strengthens traditional repair methods and increases our patients’ chances of a full recovery. This improved procedure significantly cuts recovery times, so our patients can get back to their normal activities faster than ever.

InternalBrace is a tiny, thick, rope-like fiber that’s stronger than the natural ligament. The fiber is secured into place by a BioComposite SwiveLock anchor, designed to allow blood and bone marrow to circulate through the device. The InternalBrace tightly joins the torn ligaments together and hen their job is done, the fiber and anchors biodegrade and reabsorb into the body.

Chronic Ankle Instability Explained

Chronic ankle instability is a condition in which the outer side of the ankle joint periodically “gives out” while walking, jogging, or even just standing. The ankle may repeatedly and unexpectedly release, especially on uneven surfaces or when playing sports. You may experience swelling and soreness, and feel wobbly on your foot, as though you can’t always trust your ankle to hold you weight.

Repeated ankle sprains or a poorly rehabilitated injury can cause the type of permanent ligament damage that leads to chronic ankle instability. It’s a common problem for athletes, but there is help available.

How Does the InternalBrace Improve Upon Traditional Treatments?

Although the foot and ankle community generally recognizes the Brostrom procedure as the “gold standard” of ligament repair, augmenting the repair with an InternalBrace adds stability and decreases recovery times. You’ll spend less time in a cast, start physical therapy sooner, and return to sports much earlier than you would with a traditional repair.

InternalBrace: A Faster and Stronger Recovery

Typical Brostrom procedure repairs usually require ankle immobilization in a cast for 6-8 weeks. The patient usually takes around 3-6 months to return to their normal activities, and as many as 10-15% of patients must reduce their activity level to accommodate their ankle.

With the minimally-invasive InternalBrace repair system, patients can expect to be out of their cast and into a walking boot in 2-3 weeks. You can start physical therapy as soon as you’re out of your cast. Although each case is different, patients generally spend less time in physical therapy thanks to the added stability offered by the InternalBrace. The sooner you’re out of physical therapy, the sooner you can get back on track towards your regular training routine.

The University Foot and Ankle Difference

At University Foot and Ankle Institute, we are on the forefront of ligament repair utilizing the InternalBrace technology. Our physicians are nationally recognized experts in the treatment of chronic ankle instability and are often called upon to train other surgeons on this state-of-the art procedure

Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Director of University Foot and Ankle Institute

Dr. Bob Baravarian is a Board Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist. He is currently a member of UCLA Medical Group, Chief of Podiatric Surgery at Santa Monica/UCLA medical center and Orthopedic Hospital and an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of University Foot and Ankle Institute.

Dr. Baravarian has been involved in athletics his entire life and played competitive tennis in high school and college. He has an interest in sports medicine, arthritis therapy and trauma/reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He is also fluent in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Farsi and Hebrew),

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